Messianic SabbathA daily break to celebrate our salvation in Yeshua (Jesus) and our abundant life through the Torah

Yeshua’s Ascension Brings a Double Portion on Pentecost

In a separate blog post I discuss how the day of Pentecost/Shavuot kicks-off the new covenant, guarantees our eternal inheritance, and brings new life through the Holy Spirit – enabling us to fulfill our mission and destiny on earth.

As believers in Yeshua, we already carry the Holy Spirit within us every day. But if we’re prepared for it, I believe there’s a double portion of Yeshua’s Spirit poured out on Shavuot.

Look at 2 Kings 2 and observe how many parallels there are between Elijah’s ascension and Yeshua’s ascension.

9 After they had crossed, Eliyahu said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away from you.” Elisha said, “Please! Let a double share of your spirit be on me!” 10 He replied, “You have requested a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, you will get what you asked for; but if not, you won’t.”

11 Suddenly, as they were walking on and talking, there appeared a fiery chariot with horses of fire; and as it separated the two of them from each other, Eliyahu went up into heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Isra’el!” Then he lost sight of him. Seizing his clothes, he tore them in half. 13 Then he picked up Eliyahu’s cloak, which had fallen off him. Standing on the bank of the Yarden, 14 he took the cloak that had fallen off Eliyahu, struck the water and said, “Where is Adonai, the God of Eliyahu?” But when he actually did strike the water, it divided itself to the left and to the right; then Elisha crossed over.

15 When the guild prophets of Yericho saw him in the distance, they said, “The spirit of Eliyahu does rest on Elisha.” Advancing to meet him, they prostrated themselves on the ground before him. (Underlining mine)

In verse 10, Elijah tells Elisha, “if you see me when I am taken from you, you will get what you asked for;” We saw Elijah at Yeshua’s ascension (Luke 9:29-31).

Elijah promises a double share of his spirit to Elisha. Yeshua made a similar promise to his disciples:

“Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)

Yeshua is referring to the Holy Spirit coming upon them after he goes to the Father. The Holy Spirit will enable them to do greater works than he did.

In verse 11 we see references to fire and wind, which thematically connect us to both the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai and the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

This theme of double portion is also referred to in the instructions for Shavuot in Leviticus 23:15-21.

15 “‘From the day after the day of rest — that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving — you are to count seven full weeks, 16 until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to Adonai. 17 You must bring bread from your homes for waving — two loaves made with one gallon of fine flour, baked with leaven — as firstfruits for Adonai. 18 Along with the bread, present seven lambs without defect one year old, one young bull and two rams; these will be a burnt offering for Adonai, with their grain and drink offerings, an offering made by fire as a fragrant aroma for Adonai. 19 Offer one male goat as a sin offering and two male lambs one year old as a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 The cohen will wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before Adonai, with the two lambs; these will be holy for Adonai for the cohen. 21 On the same day, you are to call a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live.

The two loaves referred to in verse 17 represent us – Yehovah’s people. Yeshua is symbolized as one sheaf being raised to Yehovah on the day of his resurrection. Now, after his ascension, we are represented by two whole loaves. A lot has happened in the spiritual realm since the one sheaf was waved.

This is the principle of multiplication. Yeshua promised we would do greater works because he was going to the Father, because on Shavuot we were given a double portion of his spirit, just as Elisha was after Elijah’s ascension.

Shavuot is the season that a double portion of Yeshua’s Spirit is poured out. This Spirit empowers us to progress toward our destiny and fulfill our calling, just as the disciples did, and as Elisha did.

What is your destiny? What is Yehovah calling you to do? On Shavuot the Holy Spirit is poured out to empower you to do just that. Pursue your calling with a renewed sense of power and certainty that Yehovah is bringing about his promises for you.